New Falcons Star Players Choose Their Jersey Numbers…

The Falcons welcomed a handful of new players to Atlanta this offseason, none bigger than Kirk Cousins, who signed a $180 million deal over four years.

Shortly after the signing was announced, fans and players alike speculated on the veteran’s potential jersey number, given Kyle Pitts‘ no. 8 was Cousins’ choice for his entire career.

Eventually, the Falcons’ new quarterback chose No. 18, and other offseason acquisitions are following suit. Over the weekend, Rondale Moore and Darnell Mooney picked their jersey numbers.

Ironically, Moore, who was acquired in a trade that sent Desmond Ridder to the Cardinals, will be wearing no. 9, which was last worn by Ridder.

Atlanta re-signed the exclusive rights free agent earlier in the offseason in a no-brainer kind of decision, and Landman is earning even more money than initially anticipated for his outstanding 2023 season.

Among the NFL’s top 25 performance-based pay distributions, the Colorado product earned an extra $750,000+, according to Adam Schefter.

Landman joined Atlanta during the 2022 offseason after going undrafted, but he didn’t make much of an impact as a rookie, logging only one tackle and appearing in seven games, primarily as a special teams contributor.

However, in 2023, injury bred opportunity, and Nate Landman made the absolute most out of it. He was thrust into a starting role next to Kaden Elliss when Troy Andersen suffered a season-ending injury during the Falcons’ Week 3 contest against the Lions. Landman ended up starting 14 games, totaling 110 tackles, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles and two sacks.

The Falcons may have a good problem on their hands now. Though Landman leaves some to be desired in coverage, he’s done enough to force Jimmy Lake and Raheem Morris to give him a chance to compete with Andersen for the starting gig next to Elliss.

Terry Fontenot did spend a second-round pick on Andersen, a Montana product, so I’d assume they’d prefer him to take the reins back, but he won’t just be given the starting job.

Depending on what system the Falcons run in 2024, it could be a position battle between Andersen and Landman for the starting role next to Elliss. On the other hand, if the Falcons use a lot of three off-ball linebacker sets, all three will see significant playing time.

At worst, the Falcons have a starting-caliber backup on the roster in Nate Landman or Troy Andersen.

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Falcons trade up, draft LSU star Malik Nabers in mock draft..

Regardless of the outlet or pundit, every mock draft has the Falcons taking a defender.

Whether it’s Dallas Turner or Jared Verse, Quinyon Mitchell, or another defensive prospect, nobody is expecting the Falcons to take an offensive player, let alone another skill player.

Terry Fontenot has spent three consecutive top 10 picks on skill players in Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson, setting Kirk Cousins up to succeed in Atlanta. The team’s GM went out and signed Darnell Mooney to a three-year deal to bolster the receiving core, but that shouldn’t rule the Falcons out of drafting another pass catcher.

Fontenot has been consistent in his approach as Atlanta’s GM — drafting the best player available. Many believe the Falcons will draft a defender, specifically an edge defender, but I wouldn’t be so sure.

If the Falcons have an offensive prospect rated much higher, I believe they’ll take them, which is exactly what The Draft Network has them doing in their latest mock draft, trading up with the Chargers for LSU star Malik Nabers.

In 2023, Nabers was graded as PFF’s top receiver in the country following a campaign in which he caught 89 receptions for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was named a consensus All-American and became LSU’s career leader for catches and receiving yards — ahead of Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase.

He’s the closest thing to Tyreek Hill I’ve seen coming out of college, and whoever drafts him is getting a bonafide star that can take any catch to the house. The Falcons would be arguably the most talented offense in the NFL on paper with Malik Nabers.

If Atlanta went that way, nobody should be too upset because The Draft Network has the Falcons addressing the edge unit in the second round with Missouri product Darius Robinson.

What would you think about Malik Nabers coming to Atlanta?

One of the best stories of the Falcons’ 2023 campaign was undrafted free agent Nate Landman’s breakout season.

Atlanta re-signed the exclusive rights free agent earlier in the offseason in a no-brainer kind of decision, and Landman is earning even more money than initially anticipated for his outstanding 2023 season.

Among the NFL’s top 25 performance-based pay distributions, the Colorado product earned an extra $750,000+, according to Adam Schefter.

andman joined Atlanta during the 2022 offseason after going undrafted, but he didn’t make much of an impact as a rookie, logging only one tackle and appearing in seven games, primarily as a special teams contributor.

However, in 2023, injury bred opportunity, and Nate Landman made the absolute most out of it. He was thrust into a starting role next to Kaden Elliss when Troy Andersen suffered a season-ending injury during the Falcons’ Week 3 contest against the Lions. Landman ended up starting 14 games, totaling 110 tackles, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles and two sacks.

The Falcons may have a good problem on their hands now. Though Landman leaves some to be desired in coverage, he’s done enough to force Jimmy Lake and Raheem Morris to give him a chance to compete with Andersen for the starting gig next to Elliss.

Terry Fontenot did spend a second-round pick on Andersen, a Montana product, so I’d assume they’d prefer him to take the reins back, but he won’t just be given the starting job.

Depending on what system the Falcons run in 2024, it could be a position battle between Andersen and Landman for the starting role next to Elliss. On the other hand, if the Falcons use a lot of three off-ball linebacker sets, all three will see significant playing time.